A New Contractor

The office building that they are set up in is open to whoever needs to be there. Any person off the street can walk in and inquire but only those who know they need to be there are allowed further. The weekends are generally slow giving them time to catch up on paperwork, finances, and cleaning the office. Adam has been moved into the group rather quickly. He's been working under Hanson with research and administrative work for contracting. Juliet has taken an unofficial role as Hunter's personal assistant recently. She's been working with him on his jobs around the town. She found out that he's been working with some of the local investigative groups that are considered the front-line investigators that issue contracts to be taken. He helps them debunk a few to not waste time while helping solve some of the smaller problems.

The office was really getting more productive. It was really strange to see things working so well. On occasion, there was an odd disturbance like Juliet. She would walk into Hunter's office and an exchange would always happen, "Hunter! Why are you drinking?!"

"It's afternoon!"

"You said you would cut back!"

"It's half!"

"Of the glass!"

"Which is half! Plus it's only my second!"

"Goddammit!"

There was a polite knock on the door behind them. Both turned expecting Hanson or Adam but there was a new face that neither of them had seen. A medium-height man stood there holding what looked like a walking stick with a few trinkets dangling off of it. He appeared to be in his mid-20s about the same age as Hunter. He scratches his head ruffling his coal-black hair, "I'm not interrupting am I?" Juliet stepped past the stranger shooting a glare at Hunter before leaving. Hunter waved him in to have a seat, "No, not really. Come in, have a seat. What can we do for you?" The stranger walked in, took the offered seat leaning in towards the desk, "I would like a job."

Unsure of what he was really asking or if he knew what he was asking for, Hunter paused for a second, "Ok, what kind of employment are you looking for?"

"I would like something in the field. I don't do well behind a desk."

Hunter was cautious, "Ok, how did you hear about us?"

"A friend recommended it to me. Said you helped him out a couple years ago."

"Do you know what we do here?"

"Yes, you are contractors who deal with… certain types of issues."

"You're going to have to say it otherwise I think you're just in the wrong spot."

"You deal with monsters and paranormal removal."

"Close enough, yea we deal with more the monster side of things. But why do you want to work with us?"

"I heard that you guys were able to deal with the problem in Texas not too long ago with a few ladies of the night."

Hunter looked out the door as Juliet walked by remembering that she was the problem in Texas. "Yea, still not sure we 100% solved that one but we will try. But again, why work with us?"

"I had to do some research on my own and you guys are very hard to find but your work is really well done and I want to be a part of that. I feel that I could add something to the team."

"What would that be that you could add?"

"A specialty in Necromancy and Voodoo."

"We already have an expert in voodoo who can inform us of curses, hexes, and spells. What can you bring that's different?"

"Well… uh… do they practice?"

"Practice?"

"Do they follow the teaching or just research because if they just research them I have the advantage. I'm well versed in actual practice."

"... ...and you said Necromancy?"

"Yes."

"Do you practice that?"

"I do."

"What are you?"

"Human."

Hunter had to pause, "... … Now I'm skeptical."

"Understandable. My great great grandfather taught me because his son didn't want to learn, and his granddaughter refused to believe it was real so when I was born he talked to me about a lot of different things until I got older and was able to actually visit him."

"Great great grandfather? How old is he?"

"I think he turns 99 this year."

"And does he still practice?"

"Yes, he still teaches me."

"Uh huh, so what can an apprentice Necromancer bring to the table? Why would I not go to your grandfather instead since he seems to be the master at it?"

"His soul is old and is locked to the area he is bound to protect. He's also Native American so he protects their old grounds."

Hunter leaned back in his chair looking over the man before him. The staff he brought with him was strange so maybe he was telling the truth. Not just anyone off the street could walk in here and answer his questions without a lot of inconsistencies. Just maybe he might be what he claims to be but it still leads him to be an apprentice who is still learning. There's not a lot of room for error when dealing with something that specific. Hunter went to lean forward when there was a loud disturbance from the hallway. Juliet's voice echoed through the building, "Adam you little shit! You do that again you pervert and I will slap the shit out of you!"

"But you're a succubus!"

"I'm gonna teach you a thing or two about this succubus!"

There were two quick streaks of people running by the door as Adam was being chased by Juliet through the hall. Hunter stood up from his chair, "Pardon me for a second." He calmly walked over, stepping out of the office, and closed the door behind him. There was a small pause before his booming voice took over, "I will beat you both if you don't knock that shit off! Lock it up!" There were two muffled "Yessir!" before the door opened again. With a smile this time, Hunter sat down, "Sorry about that."

"This place seems lively."

No words, just a head shake. "Anyway, back to us. I'm still skeptical about bringing you on but I'm always skeptical about new people. So I will make you a deal. You do what you need to, and go home wherever that may be, if a situation arises where your knowledge and expertise could be used I will give you a call and we will do a field test of your abilities. This will include transportation on my dime too and from where we need you. I believe that those who can prove themselves and do the work needed need to be able to show it. So! I will have Juliet take your info and we will let you know when your chance comes."

"You promise?"

"In our world that does not exist on paper, all we have are words. I try to keep mine gold. We'll let you know."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Take care of yourself. Train yourself as well."

The two parted ways in the hallways after a handshake. Hanson had kept an ear on their conversation listening in on his boss's work as it may pertain to their future expansion. "What do you think, sir?" Hunter sighed, cocking his head and looking out the nearby window at the hopeful young kid walking away, "I'm not sure. Something about a human working with the powers from the land of the dead without experiencing death scares me. However, if he has experienced death then he is just as dangerous as someone who has no idea what they are doing. I hope we never have to go after him and I hope that his grandfather is doing a good job teaching him." The two stepped back into their offices to finish their day buried in their own work. Their day was quiet minus the few distractions from Adam and Juliet. They were almost like siblings constantly bickering until dad, Hunter would break them up.

The office was beginning to get more lively than before. The new changes and extreme range of personalities brought a new light to the office for the regular staff and their field agents. Hunter's group was really beginning to expand into new areas, which unknown to him, would open a new array of opportunities. Hanson had a feeling that their world was going to continue changing though. He was ready for any new shift they may take.